Mainland's Polite Continues To Upstage Himself

DAYTONA BEACH — Mainland's Michael Polite played the game of his life on Tuesday against Spruce Creek and came back on Thursday and outdid himself on the way to a record-setting week.

Polite, a 6-foot-7 junior center, completed the three-game week with 86 points and 71 rebounds to earn Volusia Sentinel Player of the Week honors.

Polite opened the week on Tuesday with a career high 33 points against sixth-ranked Spruce Creek. It wasn't a case of outmanning the coverage as Polite was guarded mostly by Hawks' center Jon Fedor, a 6-foot-8 senior, one of the area's top recruits who already has signed with Florida State.

Despite Polite's contribution of over half of Mainland's points, the Buccaneers came up one basket short, losing, 64-62, to the Hawks when Corey Bell hit a 20 footer at the buzzer.

On Thursday, just when it seemed Polite could do no more, he did. He surpassed Tuesday's performance to boost his career high to 36. Again, he scored more than half of the Bucs' total but this time Mainland was able to make it worthwhile with a 69-64 victory over Palatka.

Polite finished the week with 17 points on Friday in a 66-50 loss to New Smyrna Beach. Even though it was not one of Polite's better efforts, he still scored more points than anyone else on the court.

''He just seems to be coming into his own,'' Mainland Coach Dick Toth said. ''He's been improving all season, and I think he's just learned that all he needs to do is catch the ball, turn and shoot,'' Toth said. ''If he tries to put it down against the defense, the small guys are going to take it away. I think until he gets to the college level, he just needs to get the ball and put it in. That's all he has time to do.''

Toth said the low night against New Smyrna Beach was the product of several factors, but the shots just didn't fall for Polite as he and the team suffered through an off night.

''I think at this point in the season, he's getting tired,'' Toth said. ''After you've played 20 games getting double and triple teammed it begins to take a toll on you.''

Toth said Polite is receiving as much recruiting attention as ever and has made verbal commitments to visit Virginia and Michigan during next fall.

Toth said right now there's something -- a phone call or letter -- every day, but he shields Polite from it to a certain extent. Picking a college is not a daily issue.

It has become standard procedure. Toth just gives Polite an envelope of all the materials he has received during the week on Friday and lets Polite approach him when he makes the decisions.

''I think as we narrow things down it will take some of the pressure off, and less people will be contacting him,'' Toth said.

The Bucs take to the court tonight at 8, hosting Seabreeze and play DeLand at home on Friday.